COLUMBUS – The Honorable John D. Holschuh Sr., 84, passed away at his residence in Columbus, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, with his loving family by his side.

John D. Holschuh Sr. was born in Ironton, on Oct. 12, 1926, to the late Edward A. Holschuh, a millwright, and the late Helen Ebert Holschuh. He graduated from Ironton High School class of ’44 and received a scholarship to attend Miami University at Oxford. While there he was elected to Phi Delta Kappa and was president of the social fraternity, the Miami Chapter of Delta Upsilon.

He graduated first in his class in 1948, and received a scholarship to attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law, from which he graduated in 1951. While at law school, he was the editor-in- chief of the Cincinnati Law Review, president of his law school fraternity, the Chase Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, and a member of the Order of the Coif.

After graduating from law school, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Mell G. Underwood, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

He then practiced with the law firm of McNamara & McNamara , and then later as an associate and partner in the firm Alexander, Ebinger, Holschuh, Fisher, & McAllister in Columbus where he focused his practice in trial work, both at the state and federal courts.

In 1980, at the recommendation of Sen. John Glenn, President Jimmy Carter appointed John Holschuh to the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

He proudly served his state and country as a federal judge, sitting on the bench until his death. As said by his colleagues, “John was a gentleman, but a loving husband father and grandfather first. His family mattered most to him. He had a love for the law, and always tried to show fairness, and dignity in his courtroom. He enjoyed lecturing and mentoring up and coming law clerks, lawyers, and judges.”

Judge Holschuh has been a major influence in many people’s lives throughout his illustrious career, and he will be missed not only by his family but his extended law family and friends as well.

Along with his parents, Judge Holschuh was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years, Carol Stouder Holschuh.

His survivors include his wife Celeste Holschuh; son, John D.(Wendy) Holschuh Jr.; grandchildren, Heather, John D. III, and Jacob; and sister, Carolyn Flamm, of Massillon.

The family will be receiving friends at the Schoedinger Midtown Chapel, 229 E. State St., Columbus, on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2151 Dorset Road, Columbus, on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.

The family has requested that donations be made in Judge Holschuh’s honor to the: John D. Holschuh Sr. Scholarship Fund, at P. O. Box 210040 Cincinnati, OH 45221 or the John D. Holschuh Sr. Memorial Fund at the James Cancer Hospital, of The Ohio State University Medical Center. Visit www.schoedinger.com to sign an online guest book or to share a story about Judge Holschuh.